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History Of France




The History of France has been divided into a series of separate historical articles navigable through the template to the right. The '''chronological era''' articles (highlighted in blue) address broad French historical, cultural and sociological developments. The '''dynasty and regime''' articles deal with the specific political and governmental regimes in France. The history of other cultural '''topics''' such as French art and literature can be found on their own pages. For information on today's France, see France . For other information, go to .


HISTORICAL OVERVIEW



Gaul


Settled mainly by from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.


France in the Early Middle Ages

See Also: Frankish Empire


In 486, Clovis I , leader of the Salian Franks to the east, conquered the Roman Territory Between The Loire And The Somme , subsequently uniting most of northern and central France under his rule and adopting in 496 the Roman Catholic form of Christianity (over the Arianism preferred by rival Germanic rulers).

After Clovis's death in 511 his realm underwent repeated division while the Merovingian dynasty eventually lost effective power to their successive Mayor Of The Palace , the founders of what was to become the Carolingian dynasty. The assumption of the crown in 751 by Pipin The Short (son of Charles Martel ) established Carolingian rule.

The new rulers' power reached its fullest extent under Pepin's son Charlemagne , who in 771 reunited the Frankish domains after a further period of division, subsequently conquering the Lombards under Desiderius in what is now northern Italy (774), incorporating Bavaria (788) into his realm, defeating the Avars of the Danubian plain (796), advancing the frontier with Islamic Spain as south as Barcelona (801), and subjugating Lower Saxony (804) after prolonged campaigning.

In recognition of his successes and his political support for the (emperor 814-840), however, the empire was divided among Louis's three sons ( Treaty Of Verdun , 843). After a last brief reunification (884-887), the imperial title ceased to be held in the western part which was to form the basis of the future French kingdom.

See also:


France in the Middle Ages

From the ninth to the fifteenth century.
See Also: France in the Middle Ages


See also:


Early Modern France


From the fifteenth century to 1789.
See Also: Early Modern France


The Early Modern period in French history spans the following reigns:



France in Modern Times I (1792-1920)

From the Revolution to World War I.
See Also: France in Modern Times I (1792-1920)


See also:


France in Modern Times II (1920-today)

From 1920 to today.
See Also: France in Modern Times II (1920-today)


See also:


SEE ALSO



FURTHER READING


  • André Maurois, ''A History of France''